A_Practical_English_Grammar_3rd_ED_Exercises 2

15 Extract from a club's regulations: Club officers . . . be elected yearly and . . . (not) be eligible for re-election at the end of that year.

16 The train . . . be very crowded. I'm afraid. I expect we . . . have to stand most of the way.

17 Ann (on phone): You left your gloves here last night. . . . I post them to you? Mary: No, don't bother. I . . . pick them up some time this evening. You ...be in,...

(not) you?

18 Tom (at the races): Who won?

Jack: I don't know; it was a photo-finish. But we . . . see in a moment. They . . . put the winner's number up.

19 Ann: She says she'd rather go to prison than pay the fine.

Tom: She . . . (not) go to prison. (/ won't let this happen. ) I . . . pay her fine for her! 20 Where . . . we go to get shoes? ~

What about Oxford Street? ~

Oxford Street? Are you mad? It's Saturday morning! The shops . . . be packed. 21 I . . . (not) see her. I'm sorry to say. She . . . have left by the time I arrive.

22 Secretary: There's a Mr Peterson in the outer office, sir. He says he has an appointment. . . . you see him now?

Mr Smith: I . . . (not) see him now or at any other time. I told him so when we last met. And he hasn't an appointment!

23 Angry villagers, who have just heard that the government intends to pull down their houses and build an airport: They . . . (not) build an airport here! We . . . fight for our village!

24 I am determined that my son . . . have the best possible education.

148 would and should

PEG 160, 222-4, 232, 235-7 Insert would or should in the spaces in the following sentences.

1 Let's go shopping. The shops . . . not be crowded. Monday morning's usually quiet. 2 Why . . . everyone be promoted except me? It's not fair.

3 He used to have a day off once a week, and on that day he . . . get up early, have a hasty breakfast and set out for the river.

4 ... n't it be better to roll up the carpet before painting the ceiling?

5 I know that it will be difficult to pick him out in such a crowd, but if you . . . happen to see him give him this packet.

6 The car . . . n't start so we had to ring for a taxi.

7 If you . . . wait a moment, I'll ring our stockroom and see if we have another bale of this material.

8 I . . . tell him the truth if I were you.

9 I wish he . . . get up earlier. He's late for work every day.

10 It is astonishing that a person of your intelligence . . . be taken in so easily.

11 The people in the flat above us were members of a band. We liked them very much but they . . . practise the drums at night. Nothing we said made any difference.

12 . . . you like to come with us? There is plenty of room in the car. 13 Do you know where Tom is? ~

He. ..be in the canteen. He's usually there between twelve and one.

14 She asked what she . . . do if any letters came for me while I was away. I told her that my brother . . . come every day to pick up my mail.

15 . . . you like some cake?—

Yes, please, though 1... n't eat it really as I'm on a diet.

16 He always carried food for himself and his horse in case they . . . have to spend a night away from camp.

17 Have I spelt it right? Or . . . there be another 's'? 18 If Tom were here he . . . know what to do.

19 Bill proposed that women . . . be allowed to join the club.

20 It . . . take too long to handsew it; we'll have to hire a machine.

21 It is only fair that you . . . know what people are saying about you behind your back. 22 It is essential that everyone . . . be able to see the stage.

23 They . . . n't allow parking in this street at all. It's much too narrow. 24 I hoped they . . . be pleased when they saw the photographs.

25 . . . you mind opening the windows? It's very stuffy in here. 26 Have you a screwdriver? ~

Yes, there . . . be one in that drawer.

27 I suggested that they . . . have a hot breakfast and a cold supper. 28 You . . . love your father. (It is natural and right.) ~

Why . . . I love him? I've never seen him.

29 The headmaster suggested that the school . . . buy its own minibus. 30 I wish you . . . tell me what he said in his letter.

31 He . . . n't use the electric blanket. He said it was faulty.

32 They used to work in pairs. One . . . pretend that he wanted to buy something while the other helped himself from the shelves.

33 Small children . . . n't be left alone in a house. They might set themselves on fire. 34 'You . . . n't leave a small child alone. (You: are far too conscientious.)

35 Father to child: You . . . be in bed. What are you doing running about at this hour? 36 There , . . be a switch somewhere. Ah yes, here it is.

Gerund, infinitive and present participle

149 Gerund, infinitive and present participle

PEG 266-71

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct forms. Note that sometimes a bare infinitive will be required.

1 I was lonely at first,' the old man admitted, 'but after a time I got used to (live) alone and even got (like) it.'

2 Before trains were invented people used (travel) on horseback or in stage coaches. It used (take) a stage coach three days (go) from London to Bath.

3 I meant (buy) an evening paper but I .didn't see anyone (sell) them.

4 Tom: I want (catch) the 7 a.m. train tomorrow.

Ann: But that means (get) up at 6.00; and you're not very good at (get) up early, are you?

5 He accepted the cut in salary without complaint because he was afraid (complain). He was afraid of (lose) his job.

6 She remembers part of her childhood quite clearly. She remembers (go) to school for the first time and (be) frightened and (put) her finger in her mouth. And she remembers her teacher (tell) her (take) it out.

7 Did you remember (lock) the car? ~

No, I didn't. I'd better (go) back and (do) it now.

8 No, I didn't move the bomb. I was afraid (touch) it; I was afraid of (be) blown to pieces! 9 Next time we go (house-hunt), remember (ask) the agent for clear directions. I wasted

hours (look) for the last house. 10 Tom: Let's (go) for a swim.

Ann: I'm not particularly keen on (swim). What about (go) for a drive instead?

11 The hunters expected (be paid) by the foot for the snakes they caught. This meant (take) the snakes out of the sack and (measure them. They seemed (expect) me (do) it; but I wasn't particularly anxious (be) the first (die) of snakebite.

12 After (spend) two days (argue) about where to go for their holiday they decided (not go) anywhere.

13 He is talking about (give) up his job and (go) (live) in the country.

14 I was just about (leave) the office when the phone rang. It was my wife; she wanted me (call) at the butcher's on my way home.

15 He said, 'I'm terribly sorry to (keep) you (wait).'

I said, It doesn't matter at all,' but he went on (apologize) for nearly five minutes! 16 The lecturer began by (tell) us where the island was, and went on (talk) about its

history.

17 My father thinks I am not capable of (earn) my own living, but I mean (show) him that he is wrong.

18 Tom: I can't get my car (start) on cold mornings.

Jack: Have you tried (fill) the radiator with hot water? That sometimes helps. 19 Did he manage (carry) the trunk upstairs? ~

No, he didn't. He isn't strong enough (move) it, let alone (carry) it upstairs. 20 Jack: Don't forget (take) a hacksaw with you.

Ann: What's a hacksaw? And why should I (take) one with me?

Jack: It's a tool for (cut) metal. You see, Tom is bound (get) into trouble for (take) photographs of the wrong things, and you'll be arrested with him. With a hacksaw you'll be able (saw) through the bars of your cell and (escape).

21 Peter: Wouldn't it be better (ask) Tom (leave) his camera at home?

Jack: It would be no good (ask) Tom (do) that. It would be like (ask) a woman (travel) without a handbag.

22 I've got the loaf; now I'm looking for a breadknife (cut) it with. ~ I saw Paul (sharpen) a pencil with the breadknife a minute ago.

23 We stopped once (buy) petrol and then we stopped again (ask) someone the way. 24 When I caught them (cheat) me, I stopped (buy) petrol there and started (deal) with

your garage instead.

25 Do you feel like (dine) out or would you rather (have) dinner at home? ~ I'd like (go) out. I always enjoy (have) dinner in a restaurant.

26 Your hair needs (cut). You'd better (have) it done tomorrow—unless you'd like me (have) a go at it for you.

27 I tried (convince) him that I was perfectly capable of (manage) on my own, but he insisted on (help) me.

28 Jack: I don't mind (travel) by bus, but I hate (stand) in queues.

Tom: I don't care for (queue) either; and you waste so much time (wait) for buses. I think it's better (go) by tube, or taxi.

29 He took to (follow) me about and (criticize) my work till I threatened (hit) him.

30 I have (stay) here; I'm on duty. But you needn't (wait); you're free (go) whenever you like.

31 In Animal Farm the old pig urged the animals (rebel) against man but he warned them (not adopt) man's habits.

32 There is no point in (arrive) half an hour early. We'd only have (wait). ~ I don't mind (wait). It's better (be) too early than too late.

33 I always try (come) in quietly but they always hear me (go) upstairs.

It's impossible (climb) an old wooden staircase at night without (make) a noise. 34 If you agree (work) for me I'll see about (get) you a work permit.

35 We'd better (start) early. We don't want (risk) (get) caught in a traffic jam.

36 He suggested (call) a meeting and (let) the workers (decide) the matter themselves.

150 Gerund, infinitive and present participle

PEG 266-71

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct forms. Remember that sometimes a bare infinitive is required.

1 We suggested (sleep) in hotels but the children were anxious (cam) out. 2 Paul: Would you like (come) to a lecture on Wagner tonight?

Ann: No, thanks. I like (listen) to music but I don't like (listen) to people (talk) about it. 3 If you want the milkman (leave) you milk in the morning, remember (put) a milk bottle

outside your door.

4 They let us park motorcycles here but they won't allow us (park) cars.

5 They don't allow (smoke) in the auditorium; they don't want (risk) (set) it on fire, but you can (smoke) in the foyer during the interval.

6 Mr Shaw is very busy (write) his memoirs. He is far too busy (receive) callers

(he is so busy that he can't receive callers), so you'd better just (go) away.

7 What about (buy) double quantities of everything today? That will save (shop) again later in the week.

8 The inspector asked (see) my ticket and when I wasn't able (find) it he made me (buy) another. ~

He probably suspected you of (try) (travel) without one. 9 Would you like me (turn) down the radio a bit? ~

No, it's all right. I'm used to (work) with the radio on.

10 One of the gang suggested (take) the body out to sea, (drop) it overboard and (pretend) that it had been an accident.

11 I want the boy (grow) up hating violence but his father keeps (buy) him guns and swords. ~

It's almost impossible (prevent) boys (play) soldiers.

12 Would you children mind (keep) quiet for a moment? I'm trying (fill) in a form. ~ It's no use (ask) children (keep) quiet. They can't help (make) a noise.

13 l'm thinking of (go) to Oxford tomorrow on my motorbike. Would you like (come)? ~ No, thanks. I want (go) Oxford, but I'd rather (go) by train. I loathe (travel) by road.

14 Let's (go) (fish) today. There's a nice wind. What about (come) with us, Ann? -

No, thanks. I'm very willing (cut) sandwiches for you but I've no intention of (waste) the afternoon (sit) in a boat (watch) you two (fish).

15 He resented (be) asked (wait). He expected the minister (see) him at once.

16 The police have put up a railing here (prevent) people (rush) out of the station and (dash) straight across the road.

17 All day long we saw the trees (toss) in the wind and heard the waves (crash) against the rocks.

18 I didn't mean (eat) anything but the cakes looked so good that I couldn't resist (try) one.

19 Do you feel like (walk) there or shall we (take) a bus? ~

I'd rather (go) by bus. Besides, it'll take ages (get) there on foot. 20 All right. When would you like (start)? In a few minutes? ~

Oh, let's wait till it stops (rain); otherwise we'll get soaked (walk) to the bus station. 21 The old miser spent all his time (count) his money and (think) up new hiding-places. He kept (move) it about because he was terrified of (be robbed). He used (get) up at

night sometimes (make) sure it was still there.

22 Jack suggested (let) one flat and (keep) the other for myself. But Tom advised me (sell) the whole house.

23 The child used (lean) on the gate (watch) the people (go) to work in the mornings and (come) home in the evenings. And he used to hear them (shout) greetings to each other and (talk) loudly.

24 He soon got (know) most of them and even managed (learn) the greetings. Then they began (greet) him too on their way to work and sometimes would stop (talk) to him on their way home.

25 He succeeded in (untie) himself, (climb) out of the window and (crawl) along a narrow ledge to the window of the next room.

26 Did you have any trouble (find) the house? ~

No, but I had a lot of difficulty (get) in. Nobody seemed (know) where the key was. 27 Bill couldn't bear (see) anyone (sit) round idly. Whenever he found me (relax) or

(read) he would (produce) a job which, he said, had (be) done at once. I wasted a morning (perform) his ridiculous tasks and spent the rest of the weekend (keep) out of his way.

28 After (spend) a week in the cottage, he decided that he didn't really enjoy (live) in the country and began (think) of an excuse for (sell) the cottage and (return) to London.

29 It's no use (argue) with him. You might as well (argue) with a stone wall. He is incapable of (see) anyone else's point of view.

30 I'm delighted (hear) that you can come on Saturday. We are all looking forward to (see) you. Remember (bring) your rubber boots.

31 He has been charged with (receive) and (sell) stolen goods. He has admitted (receive) but denies (sell) them. The fact is that he hasn't had time (sell) them yet.

32 He noticed the helicopter (hover) over the field. Then, to his astonishment, he saw a rope ladder (be) thrown out and three men (climb) down it. He watched them (run) across the field and out through a gate. Later he saw a car with four men in it (come) out of the lane (lead) to the field,

33 He admitted that it was possible that the car happened (be passing) and that the three men persuaded the driver (give) them a lift; but throught it much more likely that they had arranged for the car (pick) them up and that the driver had been waiting in the lane for I the helicopter (drop) them.

34 What about (have) a picnic in Piccadilly Circus? ~

What an extraordinary place (have) a picnic! Fancy (sit) there with the traffic (swirl) round you and the pigeons (take) bites out of your sandwiches!

35 Would you mind (write) your address on the back of the cheque and (show) us some proof of your identity?

36 Let's (swim) across. ~

I'm not really dressed for (swim). What's wrong with (go) round by the bridge?

Unreal pasts and subjunctives

151 Unreal pasts and subjunctives

PEG 228, 292, 297-8, 300

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct forms.

1It's just struck midnight. It's high time we (leave)!

2If only we (have) a phone! I'm tired of queuing outside the public phone box.

3You (have) better take off your wet shoes.

4He walks as if he (have) a wooden leg.

5He talks as if he (do) all the work himself, but in fact Tom and I did most of it.

6Father: I've supported you all through university. Now I think it's time you (begin) to support yourself.

7I wish I (know) what is wrong with my car.

8It looks like rain; you (have) better take a coat.

9I wish I (ask) the fishmonger to clean these fish. (I'm sorry I didn't ask him.)

10It's time we (do) something to stop road accidents.

11The cheese looks as if rats (nibble) it.

12It's high time they (mend) this road.

13He always talks as though he (address) a public meeting.

14He treats us as if we (be) all idiots.

15Wife: I'd like to get a job.

Husband: I'd much rather you (stay) at home and (look) after the house.

16If you (tie) the boat up it wouldn't have drifted away.

17I wish you (not give) him my phone number. (7 'm sorry you gave it to him. )

18If only he (know) then that the disease was curable!

19Suppose you (not know) where your next meal was coming from?

20You talk as though it (be) a small thing to leave your country for ever.

21I hate driving. I'd much rather you (drive).

22If only I (be) insured! <But I wasn 't insured.)

23If you (not take) those photographs we wouldn't have been arrested.

24I wish transistor radios never (be) invented.

25If only I (keep) my mouth shut! (/ said something which made matters much worse. )

26I'll pay you by cheque monthly. ~

I'd rather you (pay) me cash weekly.

27 When someone says something to me, I translate it into French, and then I think of a reply in French, and then translate it into English and say it. ~

It's high time you (stop) doing all this translation and (start) thinking in English. 28 I said 'Sunday'. ~

I wish you (not say) Sunday. We'll never be ready by then. 29 But I told you what to do. ~

I know you did. If only I (take) your advice!

30 A flower pot fell off the balcony on to the head of a man who was standing below. It was most unfortunate that he happened to be standing just there. If he (stand) a foot to the right or left he'd have been unharmed.

31 That man has brought us nothing but trouble. I wish I never (set) eyes on him. 32 Can I take your best umbrella? ~

I'd rather you (take) the other one.

33 If you (have) a peep hole in your door you would have seen who standing outside and kept the door shut.

34 I wish I (not try) to repair it. I only made it worse.

35 If I (not have) rubber gloves on I would have been electrocuted.

36 He looks as though he never (get) a square meal, but in fact his wife feeds him very well.

152 would rather + subject + past tense

PEG 297-8

Answer the following questions by expressing a preference for different action. Question: Can I write my essay on the back of an envelope?

Possible answer: I'd rather you wrote it on a sheet of foolscap.

Similarly:

Can we bring our pet snake to your party?

I'd rather you didn 't or I'd rather you left it at home.

It would also of course be possible to answer with prefer + object infinitive:

I'd prefer you to write it on foolscap, I'd prefer you to leave it at home.

Use you in all answers.

1 Can I go by bus?

2 Can I go alone?

3 Can we start tomorrow?

4 Can I ring New York on your phone?

5 Can we sleep in the garden tonight?

6 Can we cook our steak by holding it in front of your electric fire? 7 Can we use your scissors to cut this wire?

8 Can I leave school at sixteen?

9 Can we come in late tomorrow?

10 Shall I wake you up when I come in and tell you what happened? 11 Can I clean my motorcycle in the kitchen?

12 Can I tell Tom what you've just told me? 13 Can I go barefoot?

14 Can I have a snake tattooed round my ankle? 15 Shall we paint your door pink with yellow stars? 16 Shall I ring you at 3 a.m.?

17 Shall I threaten to burn down his house?

18 Can we bathe after dark?

19 Can I park my helicopter on the roof of your house? 20 Can I put the goldfish in the bath?

21 Can we hitch-hike to Rome?

22 Can I borrow your best umbrella?

23 Will it be all right if I write it in longhand?

24 Can I leave the washing up till the day after tomorrow?

153 wish + subject + past, past perfect or conditional

PEG 300-1

Rewrite the following using a wish construction (phrases in brackets should be omitted).

1 I'm sorry I haven't got a washing machine.

2 I'm sorry I don't live near my work.

3 I'm sorry our garden doesn't get any sun.

4 I'm sorry I called him a liar.

5 I'm sorry I don't know Finnish.

6 I'm sorry I didn't book a seat.

7 I'm sorry I haven't got a car.

8 I'm sorry I can't drive.

9 I'd like Tom to drive more slowly (but I haven't any great hopes of this). 10 I'd like you to keep quiet. ( You 're making so much noise that I can't think.)

11 I'm sorry we accepted the invitation.

12 I'm sorry that theatre tickets cost so much.

13 It's a pity that shops here shut on Saturday afternoon. 14 It's a pity he didn't work harder during the term.

15 I'm sorry you didn't see it.

16 It's a pity you are going tonight.

17 It's a pity I haven't got a work permit.

18 I would like it to stop raining (but I'm not very hopeful).

19 I'd like you to wait for me (even though you are ready to start now).

20 I'm sorry I didn't bring a map.

21 I'm sorry I ever came to this country.

22 I'm sorry I left my last job.

23 I'm sorry I didn't stay in my last job.

24 I'd like him to cut his hair (but I don't suppose he will).

25 I'd like him to stop smoking in bed (but I haven't any great hopes). 26 I'm sorry he goes to bed so late.

27 Motorist in fog: It's a pity we don't know where we are. 28 It's a pity we haven't a torch.

29 I'm sorry I didn't know you were coming.

30 I'm sorry you told Jack.

31 I'm sorry I didn't ask the fishmonger to open these oysters. 32 I'm sorry I can't swim.

33 I'm sorry you aren't coming with us.

34 I'm sorry you aren't going to a job where you could use your English. 35 It's a pity you didn't ask him how to get there.

36 I would like every country to stop killing whales (but haw no real hope of this).

The passive

154 Active to passive

PEG 302-6

Put the transitive verbs into the passive voice. Do not mention the agent unless it seems necessary.

1 The milkman brings the milk to my door but the postman leaves the letters in the hall. 2 In future, perhaps, they won't bring letters to the houses, and we shall have to collect

them from the Post Office.

3 People steal things from supermarkets every day; someone stole twenty bottles of whisky from this one last week.

4 Normally men sweep this street every day, but nobody swept it last week. 5 The postman clears this box three time a day. He last cleared it at 2.30.

6 Someone turned on a light in the hall and opened the door.

7 Women clean this office in the evening after the staff have left; they clean the upstairs offices between seven and eight in the morning.

8 We never saw him in the dining-room. A maid took all his meals up to him. 9 Someone left this purse in a classroom yesterday; the cleaner found it.

10 We build well over 1,000 new houses a year. Last year we built 1,500.

11 We serve hot meals till 10.30, and guests can order coffee and sandwiches up to 11.30.

12 Passengers leave all sorts of things in buses. The conductors collect them and send them to the Lost Property Office.

13 An ambulance took the sick man to hospital. (Mention ambulance.)

14 We kill and injure people on the roads every day. Can't we do something about this? 15 Dogs guard the warehouse. The other day a thief tried to get in and a dog saw him

and chased him. (A thief who . . .)

16 The watchman called the police. The police arrested the man.

17 Tom had only a slight injury and they helped him off the field; but Jack was seriously injured and they carried him off on a stretcher.

(Tom, who had. . ., but Jack, who was. . .)

18 You can't wash this dress; you must dry-clean it. 19 They are demolishing the entire block.

20 He recommends fitting new tyres. (Use should; see Exercise 157.) 21 He suggested allowing council tenants to buy their houses.

22 Men with slide rules used to do these calculations; now a computer does them. 23 The court tried the man, found him guilty and sent him to prison.

24 The hall porter polishes the knockers of all the flats every day. ~ Well, he hasn't polished mine for a week.

25 They are repairing my piano at the moment.

26 Passengers shouldn't throw away their tickets as inspectors may check these during the journey.

27 They invited Jack but they didn't invite Tom.

28 The guests ate all the sandwiches and drank all the beer. They left nothing. 29 Has someone posted my parcel?

30 Why did no one inform me of the change of plan?

31 Tom Smith wrote the book and Brown and Co. published it. 32 We shall have to tow the car to the garage.

33 I'm afraid we have sold all our copies but we have ordered more. 34 We will prosecute trespassers.

35 Someone stole my car and abandoned it fifteen miles away. He had removed the radio but done no other damage.

36 You must keep dogs on leads in the gardens.

155 Active to passive

PEG 302-6

Put the transitive verbs into the passive voice. Do not mention the agent unless it seems necessary.

1 They haven't stamped the letter.

2 They didn't pay me for the work; they expected me to do it for nothing. 3 He escaped when they were moving him from one prison to another. 4 She didn't introduce me to her mother.

5 A frightful crash wakened me at 4 a.m.

6 When they have widened this street the roar of the traffic will keep residents awake all